Obama Lands In Afghanistan For Surprise Memorial Day Visit

President Obama made a surprise trip to Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan Sunday to visit American troops for the Memorial Day Holiday.

As with previous visits to the country, the trip was not announced to the press. Mr. Obama left Washington late Saturday evening and flew through the night. He will only be on the ground for a few hours Sunday before returning to the U.S.

He will meet with military commanders, visit with wounded troops and hold a rally with some of the 32,000 service members currently serving there. The administration has said it plans to wind down the war by the end of the year, although it is still not clear how many American troops will remain after 2014.

Mr. Obama is traveling with country music star Brad Paisley, who will give a performance at the base.

The president's trip comes as he is facing criticism at home over allegations of misconduct at Veterans Affairs medical facilities across the country. In his weekly address Saturday, he called on the nation to "keep working to make sure that our country upholds our sacred trust to all who've served."

He will visit Arlington National Cemetery Monday to mark Memorial Day and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and will also deliver the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point this week.

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